Lexus ISF - RS4, M3, E63
Discussion
Been thinking of selling the C55 recently as fancy a change, just not sure which one to go with. Was thinking RS4 but not convinced about going back to a manual, then I came across an ISF which seemed to have the right engine, 4 doors and trick 8 speed gearbox. Has anyone got any experience of the ISF??
Looking to spend 20-25k and has to have 4 doors as two kids in tow. Was even tempted by a 335i but not convinced its special enough after the AMG.
Looking to spend 20-25k and has to have 4 doors as two kids in tow. Was even tempted by a 335i but not convinced its special enough after the AMG.
One of the things I like about the ISF is the gearbox. I read that the designers wanted it to feel like an endless wave of acceleration that didn't abate, so they used the 8 speed gearbox with some clever ratios and smooth shifting to make sure it never got caught flat footed. When you think of an old Supra TT that will do 0-175mph or so on a 4 speed auto, then an ISF doing much the same speeds with 8 gears, those changes must be slick and fast. I've never driven an ISF - only ever seen one, a single one, in person in fact, but I'd absolutely love a go in one.
Raitzi said:
M3 would be my choice. It is the best fun on track out those. It might also be the cheapest due vast amount of cars on the market. Double clutch transmission on M3 is very good.
All the reviews say that the IS-F is the most fun out of the lot, the M3 a little better at 10/10ths. Sounds rubbish in comparison though!jason61c said:
All the reviews say that the IS-F is the most fun out of the lot, the M3 a little better at 10/10ths. Sounds rubbish in comparison though!
Rev limiter ping ping sound on IS-F is very very annoying on track.Here is the usual comparison chart:
http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/bmw_m3_e92-vs-l...
Four Litre said:
Been thinking of selling the C55 recently as fancy a change, just not sure which one to go with. Was thinking RS4 but not convinced about going back to a manual, then I came across an ISF which seemed to have the right engine, 4 doors and trick 8 speed gearbox. Has anyone got any experience of the ISF??
Looking to spend 20-25k and has to have 4 doors as two kids in tow. Was even tempted by a 335i but not convinced its special enough after the AMG.
Get in touch if you're thinking of selling the C55. Might well be interested.Looking to spend 20-25k and has to have 4 doors as two kids in tow. Was even tempted by a 335i but not convinced its special enough after the AMG.
Four Litre said:
Has anyone actually driven the IS-F. Appreciate its not going to be as good as an M3, howevever, it cant be that different can it. Sat in one yesterday and was quite a nice place to be. Certainly not the Jap **ap of old!!
I would say that IS-F is above all if we take pure track performace out of the question. I think that car comes mostly with all options as standard compared to others?Raitzi said:
Four Litre said:
Has anyone actually driven the IS-F. Appreciate its not going to be as good as an M3, howevever, it cant be that different can it. Sat in one yesterday and was quite a nice place to be. Certainly not the Jap **ap of old!!
I would say that IS-F is above all if we take pure track performace out of the question. I think that car comes mostly with all options as standard compared to others?The sooner we ban talking about tracking a bloody car in roadcar discussions the better.
Op, i had a similar quandry, and ended up with a b7 rs4.
The isf is great, but the overriding hing for me was a manual box - sounds like you're the opposite! Imo the m3 is too " look at me", so if you could ton down the funny exhaust set up, imo the isf is a brilliant ombination of awesome and subtle.
The isf is great, but the overriding hing for me was a manual box - sounds like you're the opposite! Imo the m3 is too " look at me", so if you could ton down the funny exhaust set up, imo the isf is a brilliant ombination of awesome and subtle.
no ban necessary 
, but it's not relevant. Four Litre said:
Has anyone actually driven the IS-F. Appreciate its not going to be as good as an M3, howevever, it cant be that different can it. Sat in one yesterday and was quite a nice place to be. Certainly not the Jap **ap of old!!
Yup, I own oneI drove the same list of alternatives as have been suggested above before I bought it and decided on the ISF, It was that or the E90 M3 and the M3 was hard to get with the same spec level.
After 8k it's averaged 26.6mpg and on a motorway run it'll comfortably cruise at typical UK speeds and give 29mpg.
Having owned a few M3s previously i'm really glad i made the change.
That and with only 200 on the road in the UK they aren't common.
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